Happy Fifth of July

That's right, I'm not forgetting about America just because its Saturday.

Anyways.....what are we listening to nowadays?

I'm looking for some new shiz and I can't say i've been 100% completely happy with my recent emusic purchases.....but that's just the way that goes. Lend me a helping hand and guide me towards something new down yonder in the comments. I'm growing desperate.

On to other important matters....

Kendall gave a less than glowing review of the new MMJ album down below (i believe the word turd was even used). I'm not going to be so harsh. Yes, parts (read: HIGHHHH-LEEEE SUH-SPISH-OUS!!) are a little difficult to handle.

There are some parts that are very worthwhile to listen to, and the more I've done so, the more I've liked it. I kinda think MMJ is one of those bands (a la Wilco) whose albums need to be taken with a small grain of salt (and that salt is typically served in the form of their live performances). I'm guessing that after we get the opportunity to hear some live cuts of these songs we'll find they grow a bit.

Example #1: Saturday Night Live. I heard both "Evil Urges" and "I'm Amazed" first on SNL. And I'll concede that SNL isn't exactly the place where masterful performances are produced, it was the first chance I had to hear these songs and I really liked them then.

Particularly the breakdown in the middle of Urges and the entire version of Amazed. They both come across a bit more.....hard hitting, i guess. Anyways, here's the mp3 of their performances from SNL which was hosted by everyone's favorite former Disney star turned Indiana Jones sidekick, Shia Lebouf.

My Morning Jacket - Evil Urges (live at SNL)
My Morning Jacket - I'm Amazed (live at SNL)


As for new things.....I haven't found much recently. I kinda like this Liam Finn fellow (liken him to Elliott Smith-type on anti-depressants). The "new" Stephen Malkmus is pretty good....but I still don't find myself listening to it that often. So, like i said if there's anything out there......send it my way.

Liam Finn - Second Chance
Stephen Malkmus - Baltimore

RR

"Baby, there's no guidance when random rules"

I've been on a circa 1990s indie rock kick in the recent days thanks to my rediscovery of a Pavement mix I got a few months ago (I've also been listening to lots of Dinosaur Jr lately -- their newest due out in May is fanfuckingtastic!). Pavement, led by indie rock giant Stephen Malkmus, is one of those bands that took me a while to warm up to. The hooks have always been there for me, but I didn't fully embrace the quirky songwriting until recently.

Malkmus and Berman rockin' the mike.

I think I came around thanks in part to my interest in The Silver Jews. Fronted by David Berman, him and Malkmus have collaborated for years and exhibit similar styles both musically and lyrically. Berman has a distinct style as well -- this ain't just some Malkmus' side project.

Here are some tunes from both Pavement and The Silver Jews.

Pavement -- Summer Babe (Winter Version)
Buy Slanted and Enchanted here

Pavement -- Carrot Rope
Buy Terror Twilight here

The Silver Jews -- Sleeping Is The Only Love
Buy Tanglewood Numbers here

The Silver Jews -- Dallas
Buy The Natural Bridge here

BK